05/07/2021
*Dear woman, never look down on yourself.*
Pregnant? Attend that interview if you wish. Stop thinking that they do not hire hire pregnant women.
Married with 10 kids? Apply for that job. Stop thinking they would prefer single ladies.
Single at 50? Show up for that opportunity. Stop thinking only married women fit in.
We keep asking for equal opportunity, but we do not even give ourselves the opportunity that we ask for.
I was heavily pregnant and attended an interview with 13 men. I was offered the job. They even discussed how much time I would need after the baby arrives.
Honestly, I didn't want to show up. My friend Bunmi, insisted that I attend. I did not know what I know now.
Recently I was seeking a driver to help do school runs for me. This particular woman was helping me look for a driver. She would call me everyday and give me updates. She went everywhere around. We wanted someone who lived close-by.
She finally got a driver. He is a mechanic who would leave his workshop at 1pm, walk to the house, pick up a car, pick the kids, drop them off and return back to his workshop. School is about 10 minutes away.
His condition was 40k monthly salary, if he does not submit copies of his drivers licence and double the price if we ask for copies of his drivers license.
Ah! Are you a thief? Do you want to steal my kids? Why is there a higher fee to just get a simple photocopy of your license? Where does that happen?
He angrily stormed out and declined the job.
When the woman who was helping to search for the drivers saw how fed-up I was, she went to my mum and whispered, "I can drive o, please will you take me for 30k?"
Oh my God!
You mean you could drive all this while and we were searching everywhere?
Her response, "Aunty, I thought you will want a man".
My heart sank.
This woman has no job and didn't think she deserved this job because she is a woman?
I was so mad at her. Why would you not give yourself a fair chance? Why?
Long story short - She is our kids driver now. I hired her immediately.
The kids love her eh.
She comes early and even helps to pack the school bags.
She even helps grandma with weekend errands.
She even helps to buy the school snacks in bulk.
It's been many months and she is one of my best hiring decisions.
Dear woman, please give yourself a chance.
Show up at the table like everyone else.
When you asked what you want, please ask for a drink like everyone else.
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